Dear First Time Traveller, Allow me to introduce myself. I am India, the land of snake charmers, colourful festivals, song and dance. Regretfully, I am also the land where poverty, illiteracy, hunger and corruption are rampant and unconcealed. And yet I can be described as the land of opportunities, extravagant nightclubs, luxury hotels and expensive… Continue reading From India with Love
Author: Nitya Satyani-The Sunset Effect
Nitya Satyani is a mother to two wonderful teens…a boy and a girl. She writes blogs, children's books and notes on the bathroom mirror. She also reads blogs, books and the backs of shampoo bottles. A dreamer…thinker…traveller, compulsive silver-lining finder, she lives mostly in her head and pays the world a visit every now and then…when in need of chocolate or some retail therapy!
#IWillMarch for Equality Among Women
For thousands of years, women have been labeled as the weaker sex. The gender that has given birth to generations of men, has been oppressed, suppressed and often depressed, first under the farce of protection and then just because! Because the very men who protected them realised that it's a heady rush to be in… Continue reading #IWillMarch for Equality Among Women
Mother is a Feeling
A mother is a feeling!! She's an emotion that you feel, like a warm safe cocoon enveloping you, Like sunlight on a cold day, Or a cool kiss on your warm forehead. She's the relief that you feel when you hear footsteps approaching your bed in the dark night.....only to discover it's her making sure… Continue reading Mother is a Feeling
Dear White Nations…..Yours Sincerely, The Browns
‘Brown’! When I first heard the term in reference to me and my people, I was amused, to say the least. It's not that we citizens of third world countries are living in denial. And in the undercurrents of tension between the ‘Blacks’ and the ‘Whites’ (your terms not mine), we ‘Browns’ had so far… Continue reading Dear White Nations…..Yours Sincerely, The Browns
When Life’s a Trek
Last December, my husband, children (aged 6 and 9), and I, visited Bhutan. Being avid travelers, it was on our bucket list and from the minute we landed we knew it was going to be an extraordinary vacation. The country itself, enveloped by mountains, is as close to heaven as one could get, and the… Continue reading When Life’s a Trek
Wired To The Wireless: Confessions Of A Distracted Mother
My daughter was a year and a half, when she would summon me to accompany her to the restroom, whenever she needed to go. It was also around the same time when the all new chat groups on Blackberry messenger or BBM were consuming my attention. Communicating with multiple people all at once sure trumped… Continue reading Wired To The Wireless: Confessions Of A Distracted Mother
Dance like the Bougainvileas
"Mama, what's your favourite flower?” asked my daughter who seems to have a newly acquired green thumb. “Bougainvilleas! They are undoubtedly my favorite flowers.” “Bougainvilleas?? Really?! Why? There are so many prettier flowers than that” she reasoned. “Well,” I mulled over this. “I know they are not the world’s most beautiful flowers by any stretch… Continue reading Dance like the Bougainvileas
Compared to you, I’m good
One evening, soon after his transition from primary school to the 5th standard, my son came home quite excited. His school was basically having them take baby steps towards the grown-up world. This was the year they progressed to writing with pens instead of pencils. The year, when the attendant on the school bus no… Continue reading Compared to you, I’m good
Should I….Shouldn’t I??
Since the birth of my first child, or rather since the beginning of my pregnancy itself, I have faced several dilemmas over various parenting decisions I've had to make, but the question always remains the same. Should I?....or shouldn’t I?? Should I take the epidural? Should I co-sleep with my baby? Should I feed the… Continue reading Should I….Shouldn’t I??
Confessions of an Amateur Meditator
As a child I remember peeking into my grandmother's room on countless occasions, only to see her seated in bed with her eyes closed, lost in prayer for what seemed like hours. As I grew, meditation became widely renowned as being the answer to all of the world's worldly worries. “Just a few minutes a… Continue reading Confessions of an Amateur Meditator
Sibling Revelry
From the moment the auditory faculties start functioning, a baby can listen to sounds in the womb and she comes to recognise not only her mother's voice and heartbeat but studies have shown can recognise other familiar sounds as well, such as the father's voice, familiar music, etc. Which is why dads are encouraged to… Continue reading Sibling Revelry
Ins(MOM)nia
Dear God of Slumber, Please help me God, why do you hate me so?I'm a good person, I do deserve more.All I want is one night's sleep;No getting up to feed her nor to make him pee.I don't want to wake up with a pain in my head;Seven times each night, I don't want to… Continue reading Ins(MOM)nia
Social Etiquette – The Problem Beyond The Maths Problem
Child in Grade 1: “Teacher, my partner is eating snacks from my boxTeacher to partner : “Don't do that” Child in Grade 4: “Miss, she's calling me names” Teacher : Don't complain to me. Go back to your place.” Child in Grade 7: “Ma'am, they make fun of me behind my back” Teacher : “solve… Continue reading Social Etiquette – The Problem Beyond The Maths Problem
Like Child, Like Mother
If I were asked to close my eyes and think of my childhood, it would be a time travel into a state of happy memories. My sister and I pretending to be princesses, dressing up as our mum in heels, giving our Barbie dolls haircuts, because mom told us hair grows back faster after a… Continue reading Like Child, Like Mother
Quiz: What Kind Of A Mum Are You?
Ever wonder what your parenting personality is? How other mums perceive and judge you? What is the parenting style that you are categorised under?….Helicopter? Tiger? Shampoo? Conditioner? Take this quiz to find out…. What kind of a mother are you? 1)Your son comes home complaining that he is being bullied in school and no longer… Continue reading Quiz: What Kind Of A Mum Are You?
Open Letter To Our Prime Minister
Dear Mr. Modi, In the aftermath of the many tragic instances of rape of young children across our country, I have yet again been bombarded by a barrage of forwards, filled with tips on how I should educate my children about 'good touch' and 'bad touch' and videos on the same. And I have done… Continue reading Open Letter To Our Prime Minister
Greys and Rainbows – The Colours Of Our Feelings
My daughter baked a cake from scratch! A really miraculous achievement since I had feared she would be genetically challenged in the cooking department. She did it against all odds, without my help (which is a blessing in disguise, really). She selected her own ingredients, and mixed them well, and I helped her use the… Continue reading Greys and Rainbows – The Colours Of Our Feelings
The Gift Of Boredom
I'm bored!...has got to be the most overused phrase by children...after the earth-shattering, record-breaking "Mommmmmm" of course. We seem to be raising our children in times of overstimulation. Technology, and gadgets add entertainment to relieve the most excruciatingly boring situations that children of previous generations weren't privy to (remember long car and plane rides, or… Continue reading The Gift Of Boredom
Que Sera Sera…The Tale of the Rusty, Old Medal
A visit to my mother's house one day, revealed the apple of my eye, my two year old nephew armed with a bright blue marker merrily scribbling all over what looked like a rusted, old medal. On closer inspection I realized that the 'gold medal' now in his (freakishly strong) possession once belonged to me.… Continue reading Que Sera Sera…The Tale of the Rusty, Old Medal
I’m Ok…You’re OK
Becoming a parent means juggling many different jobs that requires multiple skills...from being a chef, driver, singer, teacher, coach, doctor, event planner….the list is endless. But broadly classified, they all have one singular goal, wanting what's best for your baby. That's all any parent ever really wants. We overthink, overanalyze and stress constantly about everything… Continue reading I’m Ok…You’re OK
Disciplining Decoded
Newborn, baby, infant, toddler, child, pre-teen, teen. We have coined so many terms for our children, that we call them everything but what they are...people. The biggest mistake adults make is that we forget children are individuals. And that is probably why parenting shelves in bookstores are crammed with books on how to discipline your… Continue reading Disciplining Decoded
Dear School Bully
Dear School Bully, Wimp, nerd, loser, shorty, fatty, failure, gay... I've watched you tease many children, including mine, by calling them either one of these names and I've watched their cheeks flood with embarrassment, their hearts break, and their faces fall as the other children laugh at them. What you're doing is nothing new. Generations… Continue reading Dear School Bully
Adultism – The Discrimination Against Children
Adultism - is the deliberate discrimination, against a person or family of a person who is not an adult, namely young children. It is that uncomfortable feeling every parent is subjected to at some time, by other adults, to convey that their child is not welcome in a certain premise. The term 'child-friendly' has also… Continue reading Adultism – The Discrimination Against Children
Oh, No Shame On You Mom
“Oh no, look at me, Didi, I'm so fat!” The words were enough to leave me frozen in my tracks and halt whatever I was doing! More so, because they were coming from my six year old niece as she pinched her dress at her waist to tighten it and stuck her tummy out in… Continue reading Oh, No Shame On You Mom
The Sad Demise Of Santa Claus
Statutory warning: The following reading material is not suitable for children under ten years of age. Or adults who still steadfastly believe that life is nothing without a little magic. Recently adding to the list of bizarre rumors routinely doing the rounds on the Internet was the news of the sad demise of Santa Claus.… Continue reading The Sad Demise Of Santa Claus
Tech(NO/YES)logy
Is it just me or does the growing awareness and accessibility of technology these days scare all parents? My son is not even 10 and I'm already dreading the day he uses the F word...Facebook that is! And our parents thought they had trouble. The other day I was babysitting my thirteen year old niece… Continue reading Tech(NO/YES)logy
Measuring Milestones The Mommy Way
They say having a child is like watching your heart walk outside your body forever! Nothing could be closer to the truth. Being a mother awakens a new purpose for living, and exposes a vulnerable part of your soul that you never knew existed.and can only do that much to protect. The smell of a… Continue reading Measuring Milestones The Mommy Way
All My Bags Are Packed….Oh Wait, There’s More??!
Travel Diaries of the Amateur Winter Traveller: There is a saying, you can tell how cold a mother is feeling by the number of layers her child is dressed in. Unfortunately in Mumbai's equatorial climate anything more than shorts and singlets could result in second degree burns. Which sadly, deprives us Mumbai Mums of the… Continue reading All My Bags Are Packed….Oh Wait, There’s More??!
The Autumn of my Life
Autumn of your life Floating with the wind, disentangled from my tree Withered and orange, I once was green Where I will blow I shall never know... The breeze has become my destiny Peaks and valleys and mountains of snow Wildflowers and butterflies and even a rainbow A world beyond my tree that I didn't… Continue reading The Autumn of my Life
Guilt is a five letter word
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/07/asguilt-the-5-letter-word-for-a-conscience/ Some say love, some say money. But the truth is, it's guilt that makes the world go round! Guilt - that five letter word for a conscience. It's the fine line between monogamy and the extra....it's what keeps the ring on the finger. It's the ongoing never-ending war between the stay at home mom… Continue reading Guilt is a five letter word
The Gap…what’s NEXT?!!
The GAP!! What's NEXT?!! Thigh gap!! Recently, and just like that, this bodily phenomena made it's debut on the headlines of several media platforms under the category of "beauty". And just like that, like an unplanned baby, a new benchmark for beauty was born. Curious and intrigued when I first saw the caption and the… Continue reading The Gap…what’s NEXT?!!
Queue Kyon?
Queue kyon No no no I will not wait in queue Its a waste of my time so don't ask me to I want what I want and I need it now How dare you ask me to wait, how??! Didn't you even consider who I am Before you dared to ask me to stand… Continue reading Queue Kyon?
Hai-gene
Hai-gene I love my morning walks. Walking on the streets of one of Mumbai's elite neighbourhoods, home to the superstars and the super rich. If I closed my eyes for a second I could well imagine being a nomad stripped of all responsibilities, walking without a care in the world... Except that I wouldn't dare!… Continue reading Hai-gene
India Whining
Harshest of Harsh, Rarest of Rare! India has always been a land of extremes... The land where disparities rule supreme. The rich were always too rich, the poor, excruciatingly so Summers, stiflingly hot, Winters, nail biting cold Crimes here are rarest of rare, Punishment, scarcest of scarce. Weddings, opulently lavish Mourning, amputating and tragic Women… Continue reading India Whining
Bundles of memories
Bundles of paper bound by glue They remind me of me, they remind me of you They remind me of what we used to be In what's now another lifetime, they're history Long forgotten in a corner gathering the dust of time While we moved on to create new moments, neither yours not mine Life… Continue reading Bundles of memories
Women on Top
“You must never ever hurt a girl”, I dutifully explained to my 8year old son as part of my ongoing effort as a self-proclaimed feminist to raise my son to be the perfect gentlemen. I also, as all mums should, show him the public service messages that the ad world routinely creates such as the… Continue reading Women on Top
The Upside-Down Wow
So much has been said and written recently about us wonderful mothers (mostly by fellow- wonderful mothers like me) on our superhuman abilities to juggle our multiple, self-professed professions (we're nurse, doctor, chauffeur, play-date, event planner, teacher all rolled into one) and how we need octopus limbs to cope with all that we must accomplish… Continue reading The Upside-Down Wow
Sounds of the River (inspired by Bekal, Kerala)
Sometimes you cross paths with a river, That you know you were destined to meet. If only for a few moments of your life, You had to be one with its lazy stream. That electric blue kingfisher, that you saw perched upon a lonesome tree, And the soaring eagles tell you, this is where you're… Continue reading Sounds of the River (inspired by Bekal, Kerala)
Jungle Magic….inspiration: Pench National Park
There are no rules yet unexplained discipline There are no schools but what an education From birth each one knows the purpose of its life Hunt, eat, sleep, protect and survive I close my eyes and listen to the jungle band Millions of creatures and yet no fight for land The jungle misleads us as… Continue reading Jungle Magic….inspiration: Pench National Park
The Sunset Effect
To me, a sunset is the most visually satisfying, soul enriching experience there ever can be. Who can tell when a sunset actually begins and in which moment exactly it ends? Yet, there is a pattern that nature follows each day. Every sunset I witness makes me pay tribute to the most superior artist -… Continue reading The Sunset Effect
The Mark of a Performer
To perform and carry on Whether appreciated or not To smile through tears And win peoples' cheers To act when you're down But manage not to frown To lose, to gain But to never feel the strain To laugh when you're laughed at And your feelings never to show To hide your emotions well And… Continue reading The Mark of a Performer
Glimpse
Staring into the mirror I was searching for my soul But the girl who looked back at me Just wasn't whole De-spirited and bruised By life's wear and tear Bound by chains of relationships Her own desires stripped bare 'This wasn't how I used to be My reflection used to smile at me Where is… Continue reading Glimpse
The Sky in my Pond
As a child I loved to visit The little house where my grandma lived And in the whispering woods around Was the most quiet, serene, tranquil pond Each time I peeped in it I'd see The warm, blue sky staring back at me "Grandma, how is it that the sky has come down? To be… Continue reading The Sky in my Pond
Life – A New Beginning
Like the calm, dark sky cradles the moon A mother carries her baby in her womb Then follow the months of patience and pain And anticipation of what her life's going to gain Soon the hospital corridors are filled with footsteps The father pacing, man at his vulnerable best Then deafening cries break the silence… Continue reading Life – A New Beginning
How it all came to be!
When God made man, He looked at him and said... "I'm sure I can do better than that" So He went on to make the woman and said, "Practice makes perfect and that's a facy!" He gave them a mind, a shape and a form Then He asked man if he wanted his heart to… Continue reading How it all came to be!
Freedom
Children splashing about in the rain Raindrops on window panes A solitary bird soaring high A kite floating across the sky Leaves drifting in the breeze A hundred wild flowers in an open field The shooting fires of a volcano The seven colours of a rainbow Twinkling stars in a calm, quiet night A dark… Continue reading Freedom
Admit It!
Biweekly tuitions, written, homework, mock interviews, and a year of preparation. Sounds like a year in the life of a potential IIT or medical student. Sadly, we live in a city where its the life of an average 3-4 year old. A city in which a dearth of good schools and the desire of every… Continue reading Admit It!
Take me home
Where the mountain meets the sky Where the river beneath flows Where the orange sky stays still Is the home of my soul There the silence speaks to me Telling me you're a fool This is where you belong Where life calls out to you The twinkling stars maybe the same The sun may see… Continue reading Take me home
FOMO or Less
Disclaimer: This is purely a work of fiction. All characters in this docudrama, (namely the author and her family), are for reenactment purposes only. Any resemblance to any person dead or alive is purely coincidental (unless of course, you know it's you) in which case there's only one thing to do every once in a… Continue reading FOMO or Less
Sunset Effect - Nitya Satyani 